June 17, 2016
NOT HIS FIRST RODEO
VO LUM E 1 5 | IS S U E 30 | FREE
Take a glimpse into a day in the life of a rodeo cowboy. PAGE 12
CentennialCitizen.net A publication of
A R A P A H O E C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
Sufferers say joining forces is life-saver Invisible Disabilities Association supports those with ailments that aren’t readily apparent By Tom Skelley tskelley@coloradocommunitymedia.com
The Splash Pad at Centennial Center Park swarms with children on a typical summer day with temperatures reaching into the 90s. The water attraction opened May 27. Regular summer hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Photo by Alex DeWind
Summer is sweet at thriving park Gathering place has evolved into something for everyone By Alex DeWind adewind@coloradocommunitymedia.com On an average summer day, Centennial Center Park radiates energy — children flock to the water playground, parents fix picnics at nearby tables, people lie on a grassy slope that faces the open amphitheater.
Since the 11-acre park opened in 2012, it’s transformed into a hub for citizens of Centennial. It is on Arapahoe Road east of Revere Parkway, adjacent to the Centennial Civic Center. “Before people thought of it as just a park,” said Mayor Cathy Noon. “Now it’s a special park that’s a total success story for our community.” The initial goal of the park was to create a central meeting place in Centennial, Noon said. Now the park has attractions for people of all ages.
It’s equipped with two shelter areas, three climbing walls, two playgrounds, one water playground, two nature areas, three water fountains and a two-story covered shelter. There are restrooms, picnic tables and barbecue grills, and there is electricity available. Two years ago, the city invested $1.12 million in a covered stage for the park’s outdoor amphitheater, which accommodates about 5,000 people.
Wayne Connell knew his wife, Sherri, was ill, but nobody else could tell. “We would park in disabled parking and people would yell at us for parking there,” Connell says. “We’d have people follow us all the way into the store, then my wife would sit in the scooter and they’d say ‘Oh.’” Connell’s wife, Sherri, has Lyme disease and primary progressive multiple sclerosis. The conditions forced her to quit working and left her fatigued and in pain, but without visible symptoms. Experiences the couple shared led Sherri to coin the term “invisible disabilities,” and the couple decided to share their story. Invisible continues on Page 5
Park continues on Page 5
Annual muster fires up attendees Littleton event includes parade and firefighting demonstrations By Tom Munds tmunds@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Volunteers John Borrratt, left, and Bruce Stanbaugh help 4-year-old Daniel Minjurez control the fire hose to put out a make-believe fire. The chance for children to handle a fire hose was among a number of activities available during the June 11 Fire Truck Muster at Arapahoe Community College in Littleton. Photo by Tom Munds
Spectators lined the sidewalk to watch the Fire Truck Muster Parade that rolled down Main Street in Littleton with red lights flashing and sirens wailing. The Littleton Fire Department’s 1914 truck led the June 11 parade of antique and state-of-the-art equipment in the event sponsored by Schomp Automotive and the Mile High Hook and Ladder antique fire truck club. Sarah Porter was visiting friends in Littleton, heard the sirens and came to see what was going on. Muster continues on Page 5
Sherri and Wayne Connell founded the Invisible Disabilities Association to support people with health problems that aren’t apparent to others. Courtesy photo
BIG LEAGUE
Local players slide into Coors Field for the Colorado Rockies’ All-Star/Futures Game. PAGE 21
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